#SkinGirl – [Skin Secrets, what you should know]

Your skin is the biggest organ of your body

Many of us are not aware that the skin is the biggest organ of the body and this organ is exposed to sunlight and chemicals every single day.  

Research suggests that almost 60% of what you put onto your skin will be absorbed into your bloodstream. Why is this important for us to know? Many skincare products and sunscreens contain harsh and dangerous chemicals and some of these elements gets deposited directly into your bloodstream. This could have a negative impact on your health over time.

Let’s have a look at one of the most debated ingredients today in skincare, called parabens.  

Skincare manufacturers add parabens to their formulations to increase the mass and volume of a product. This is a cheap and easy way to increase the mass and there is no regulation that prohibit these tactics by manufacturers.  

What is the effect of parabens on the body?

Parabens mimic oestrogen in the body.  These parabens get absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, which leads to a change in your hormonal balance. This is ultimately dangerous for your health; increased oestrogen levels are linked to one of the causes of cancer. Without you knowing, by moisturising daily with your favourite body lotion, loaded with parabens, you are potentially causing damage to your health.  I would encourage you to have a look at the label of your skincare products.

A baby’s protective skin barrier only develops after 6 months from birth

From the time of birth up to 6 months your baby’s skin is sensitive and permeable, thus more prone to absorb chemicals into the bloodstream.  

Have you ever taken the time to read skincare labels of baby products?  Chemicals like, petrolatum, parfum, paraffin, talc, mineral oil and parabens are commonly found in baby’s skincare products.  Mineral oil is nothing else than a derivative of petrolatum, a dangerous chemical.  It also suffocates the skin and takes about 7-10 days to be eliminated from the skin.  So next time you head to the shop for your favourite aquas or barrier cream, take a look to see if it contains some of all of these ingredients and think again.

Each country has their own regulatory system

I have found that skincare brands and labels are not being regulated good enough to protect our health.  Some manufacturers even target countries with poor legislation to flood their market with inferior skincare products, loaded with synthetic and dangerous chemicals.

That is why you should know your stuff, learn how to read a skincare label, know your ingredients and if possible find out where the products are manufactured.

Your skin needs the best possible care and nourishment that you can give it

It is by far best to switch to a natural and organic skincare brand, which is TRULY natural and organic. Don’t let the label trick you into believing it is organic or natural, remember skincare ingredients and label regulation are not standardised and regulated equally throughout the world.  You can easily be misled, take care not to fall for advertisement slogans stating products are all natural.  This has become a new trend, but the product labels and marketing statements don’t always add up.

Your gut plays a vital role in your skin health

This is one of the most important secrets to healthy skin, but very few people have been informed about this crucial component of their health.  

Many skin problems originate from an unhealthy gut, which is directly affected by what you ingest. Skin problems like acne and skin allergies are mostly related to your diet.  Food that causes havoc for your gut and skin are:

• Dairy products
• Gluten (even if you don’t have any symptoms or are gluten intolerant)
• Alcohol
• Sugar
• Smoking

Supplement your gut with probiotics and probiotic rich food like kombucha, kefir, aloe and bone broth.  More on these magical supplements later.

Stress is a big enemy to your skin and gut and  the importance of getting your beauty sleep is not a myth.  You must get adequate hours of sleep.

Supplement your skin with good quality supplements.  Omega 3&6, Vitamin A, E, C and D is essential to boost collagen and fight photo ageing!

Again, not all products are made equal, even pharmaceutical products.  Find a trusted brand, look at the manufacturers and their code of ethics.  Not all over the counter medicine are regulated or subjected to the regulating bodies of that specific country.

Good quality natural and organic skincare is much more affordable than you think!

I have tried and bought some of the most expensive skincare products on the market and only later in my life made the switch to a natural and organic skincare brand.  I was delighted to learn that I was now spending a fraction of what I used to spend on those big skincare brands.  My skin is glowing and healthy, at last!  Remember the cost of the marketing, billboards, models and extravagant packaging of the skincare brands all adds up to the total cost of the product which you, the end user is paying for.  So, the price for me is no indication of the quality of the brand at all.

I hope this serves you well and that you will be more diligent when it comes to looking after your skin and your overall health.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Take care

Lise-marie